* credulous villagers whisper that a vampire is on the loose

* a dangerous prisoner escapes from Dartmoor

* the legendary jewel, Orb of Kezir, goes missing

The story is told in the voice of a passionate young widow, with whom Sherlock Holmes falls in loveùas much as his cold, self-absorbed nature will allow him to love. She is an intellectual sparring partner for him, and his match in deduction; and excels in the domestic arts: she foils more than one villain using common household objects and toolsùmuch to the amazement of Scotland Yard and to the gratitude of Shelock Holmes, whose life she saves.